An interesting chain of events led the Green Bay Packers down the road to drafting Maryland safety Darnell Savage at No. 21 overall on Thursday night.
It took a series of clever trades for GM Brian Gutekunst to pull it off, starting with the first day of the 2018 draft, continuing through last year’s trade deadline and finishing Thursday night.
The final result was landing Savage, who the Packers believe is a “difference maker” at safety.
Let’s run it all down:
Step 1: Get a second first-round pick in 2019
Gutekunst’s first major draft move was trading down 13 spots in the first round last year and securing a 2019 first-round pick from the Saints. It set the table for everything to come. Moving up to get Savage probably isn’t possible without having the second first-rounder.
Step 2: Add Day 3 draft capital at the trade deadline
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix actually helped the Packers get Savage, his likely replacement. How? Gutekunst dealt Clinton-Dix to the Washington Redskins last October, getting back a fourth-round pick in the deal. He then used that fourth-round pick (118) in the trade up with Seattle. The Seahawks were motivated to move down and accumulate picks, opening the door for the Packers.
Step 3: Trade up to get Savage
The final step was sending No. 30, No. 114 and No. 118 to the Seahawks for No. 21, which the Packers used to take Savage. Gutekunst admitted some hesitancy in trading three picks for one, but he also said he couldn’t let Savage get away. The Packers had Savage as their No. 1 safety in the draft class.
This will all be interesting to look back on someday if Savage becomes a Pro Bowl player. A bunch of teams played a role in Savage landing in Green Bay, including the Saints, Redskins and Seahawks. It will all look like genius maneuvering by Gutekunst if Savage is a hit, or a total waste of resources if he busts.
